TRAINING SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27078, 12 May 1949, Page 8

TRAINING SCHOOL

COURSE FOR SWIMMERS PREPARATION FOR EMPIRE GAMES The offer of the Physical Welfare Branch to establish / a winter training school for swimmers and swimming coaches was accepted by the Otago Swimming Centre at its meeting, last night. The course will be organised by the centre, working in co-operation with the Physical Welfare Branch. The president, Mr E. C. Isaacs, occupied the chair. The physical welfare officer. Mr R. O. Johnson, said that the course suggested would consist of two hours a week throughout the winter. The first hour would be for instructional discussion on swimming principles and stroke fundamentals. simple anatomical and physiological factors which had formed the basis on which modern techniques had been developed, general health rules, group and individual instruction and coaching, and general problems relating to the development of greater participation in swimming, surfing and life-saving. The second hour would consist of special exercises designed to develop muscular relaxation and strength, and to improve all-round bodily fitness.

The pattern of the course would depend on the availability of centre coaches and other guest lecturers who would participate, Mr Johnson added. Some of the periods would be conducted by Mr J Bellwood, physical welfare officer, who specialised in swimming and athletics at Loughborough College. England, and attended several swimming courses overseas. Mr Bellwood would also direct a special exercise period in conjunction with Mrs E. Bellwood, of the Otago University School of Physical Education, who was a very highly-qualified expert in this field. Messrs Isaacs. J. Wilson, D. F. Watson, and W. C. Wallace were appointed as a committee from the centre to make arrangements with Messrs Johnson and Bellwood for the inauguration of the school. Empire Games Officials It was decided to convey the centre’s congratulations to Messrs C. J. Kirkland and A. Kingsland (Invercargill) and W A. Jenkins on their appointment as director, starter and diving referee respectively for the swimming section of the Empire Games. It was also resolved to send a letter of congratulation to Miss Jean Stewart on the recognition of her performances of lmin 52 4-ssec for 150 yards backstroke and 6min 13 l-ssec for 400 metres backstroke as New Zealand women’s records. Diving Committee It was decided to recommend to the New Zealand Council the affiliation of the Otago Amateur Diving Committee, subject to the constitution being approved. Overseas Teams Mr Jenkins suggested that the centre should approach the New Zealand Council with the intimation that Otago was desirous of participating in any tours of overseas swimmers which might be arranged after their appearances at the Empire Games in Auckland. A motion to this effect was carried, and it was also agreed to ask the council for permission to make a direct approach to the countries concerned if the council Itself did not intend to organise such tours.